Pew Research Center found that news today is increasingly a shared, social experience. Half of Americans say they rely on the people around them to find out at least some of the news they need to know.

PR News and Mike Smith Public Affairs surveyed nearly 400 public affairs executives, finding that the ability to measure efforts and keeping up with social media and emerging technologies are their biggest challenges.

Do you think your organization has what it takes to apply for a Best Places to Work ranking? Susan Springer of Best Companies Group shares the core focus areas of the employee survey that nominees are required to field.